How many starts for Johnny Football?
LAS VEGAS, NV (The Spread) – How many games will Johnny Manziel start as a rookie this season? Let’s take a look.
The Cleveland Browns selected Manziel with the 22nd pick in this year’s NFL draft. The over/under is set at 9.5 on how many games Johnny Football will start as a rookie. Let’s take a closer look on how the season might turn out for Manziel.
The Browns drafted for the future in taking Manziel, but not necessarily the present. Browns head coach Mike Pettine has been quoted in the media saying the competition is open for starting quarterback, but he didn’t see anyone in this year’s draft class beating out Hoyer for this upcoming season. Cleveland’s general manager Ray Farmer, according to reports, has Hoyer as the starter by a large margin at this point. All these things point to Manziel starting the season in a back up role, but depending on how the season plays out, could have him playing a larger role towards the end of the season.
Johnny Football will have to go through the NFL growing pains like any other rookie. He’ll make the standard rookie mistakes, but having Kyle Shanahan as the OC at Cleveland will help Manziel thrive.
The Browns do have some offensive weapons for a QB to work with including WR Josh Gordon, and TE Jordan Cameron. Manziel will have his hands full learning an NFL style offense, but he’s a very accurate passer with a strong arm, plus he just has that uncanny ability to make a play. The Browns will most likely have a season comparable to last year’s give or take a couple wins, which will allow Manziel to get some playing time mid season.
Manziel’s Projected stats: 5 starts 910 passing yds, 7 touchdowns, 6 INTs, 175 rushing yds, and 2 rushing TDs.
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